Former Pride Boss On Fedor Making $2.5M: ‘This Is Absolutely Not True’

Fedor Emelianenko shocked the MMA World when he announced that he had signed a contract to fight for former Pride FC boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara’s new Japanese promotion on New Year’s Eve.

Shortly after news broke that “The Last Emperor” had in fact signed a deal to fight in Japan, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported that Fedor would be making a guaranteed $2.5 million for his December 31st fight against an opponent yet to be determined.

According to Fedor’s new boss Sakakibara, that report is just not true:

“Information on the $ 2.5 million fee – this is absolutely not true,” Sakikabara told R-Sport (translated by BloodyElbow). “I’m sure that during various negotiations with US organizations, Fedor was offered a much larger amount than our options. The return of Fedor in Japan has completely nothing to do with money, and it is a fact.”

He continued:

“One of the main reasons [for Fedor’s return] is the development of the future of MMA. Fedor was a legendary champion of PRIDE, he did not suffer a single defeat and is an integral part of the history of mixed martial arts and becoming part of a unique organization.”

Sakakibara would not reveal Fedor’s opponent for the New Year’s Eve fight card, but promised a press conference would be coming shortly:

“Very soon, we are going to hold a press conference here in Tokyo, which will be explain many details of the New Year’s show, including the name of the new organization.”

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